In His Likeness

"to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness."

Ephesians 4: 22-24

 

    In the scripture above, Paul is reminding the Christians in the church of Ephesus, to put on their new selves in Christ.  This definitely serves as a good reminder for us as well.  As Christians, we are new creations, "created after the likeness of God".  This sounds good and well, but we need to understand that their is a two-part process here.  The first is to "put off the old self".  When we accept Jesus into our hearts, and profess our faith and trust in Him, from that day forward, we are called to a newness in God.  The first part of this calls for us to put off our old manners of living.  For most of us, this is the call to Christianity in the first place.  What I mean, is that for many of us, we were living so waywardly that we no longer desire to live in our old ways.  Our ways lead us to a heavy emotions of shame, guilt, and hurt, that we never want to make a habit of life ever again.  Through someone sharing the gospel of Christ, with forgiveness and a newness in life, we saw hope.  Many of us for the first time in our lives.  We heard testimonies of how following Jesus has changed the lives and hearts of so many, and we are motivated to not want to live our old life.  We then, come to Christ in all humility and He offers His free gift of salvation to us. 

    The problem then comes, and far too often I might add, when we stop there.  We can see the benefit of putting off our old sinful habits and cycles of hurt, but then we forget there is a part two.  This is what Paul calls, "being renewed in the spirit of your mind, and to put on the new self".  Far too often do we take off the old life and stop there.  Really, we are just at the starting point when come to salvation in Christ.  Next, we are called to put on the new self.  This includes working to cultivate the fruit of the Spirit in our lives, which are, "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control" (Gal. 5:22).  It is important that we empty the cup of our old ways, and at the same time allow the Holy Spirit to refill it with the fruit of following Jesus.  In the fifteenth chapter of John, Jesus tells His disciples that they prove to be true disciples of Him, by the fruit of their lives.  Today, analyze the the fruit of your thoughts, actions, and habits.  Are you putting on the new self, rather than just focusing on taking off the old?  God loves you and me so much, that He calls us to a life of spiritual maturation.  Jesus desires that we grow into righteousness and holiness, that only comes from following His guidance, and allowing the Spirit to mold us to be more like Him.  Love you all!  Praying for you and yours!  Have a blessed day, it's your choice!